Dragon Boat Festival (龙船节), also known Duanwu Jie (端午节) is a public holiday commemorated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of every year, and in this case, this year’s holiday falls on a Tuesday (May 30). Just remember, the Saturday (May 27) before it is a working weekend. On this holiday, it is a customary activity to eat zongzi (粽子) or steamed glutinous rice with various fillings wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves), drink xionghuang jiu (雄黄酒), a kind of alcohol made from realgar, and watch dragon boat races.
Aside from them, there are more happenings where your family can spend the holiday. In this edition of The Weekend Ahead, we bring you some great activities to make your Dragon Boat Festival more fun.
Stop Motion for Dragon Boat Festival, May 27-30
Kids 10+. Atelier is holding a stop motion animation workshop during the Dragon Boat Festival. In the workshop, kids will be taught the principle of stop motion, an animation technique used by filmmakers to bring to life static objects. Kids will also be able to do a short movie animation. 10am-6pm. RMB 3,300. For more details on the registration, email Atelier at contact@atelier.cn.com. Atelier. 204-205, Building 2, Central Park, No.16 Road Yufeng, Shunyi District, Beijing (Go to F2 from Entrance A of Commercial Buildings)
Dragon Boat Festival Coding Workshop, May 27 to May 30
Ages 12 and under. During this workshop, students will learn the basics of coding using an Arduino microprocessor. Arduino is an electronics prototyping platform that helps you control real-world objects. Children will get familiar with electronics and C programming language. They will realize funny and useful objects including sensors, lights, and electro-mechanical components. During this workshop, they will build a detection system, radar, traffic light system and control a car for an obstacle course. RMB 4500 per child. 10am-4pm. Atelier.
HOPE Fundraising Auction for Children with Special Needs, May 28
All ages. HOPE (Horses Offering People Enrichment), a non-profit organization offering therapeutic horse riding for children with special needs, is holding a fundraising auction at the Roundabout Community Center in Shine Hills on May 28. The event features arts and crafts from local and foreign artists, and artwork by HOPE’s young riders and also children with autism. 10am-3.30pm. Free. Roundabout Community Center, Shine Hills Mall, Shunyi – #104 (Behind Momo coffee), Building 4, Shine Hills, No. 9 Antai Street, Shunyi District 中粮.祥云小镇, 北京市顺义区安泰大街9号院中粮祥云小镇北区4号楼104室（么么咖啡后面）
798 International Children’s Art Festival, May 28-30
All ages. The 798 International Children’s Art Festival (798 ICAF) is back and now on its fourth consecutive year. This year’s festivities are part of a wide program of children’s day events scheduled across the bustling 798 Arts District. Families can enjoy mini workshops or go booth to booth to find handmade accessories and products, toys and activity sets, clothing, artworks, food and drinks, books, and more. All day. Free entrance. 798 Arts District.
Dragon Boat Festival Feast at the Great Wall, May 29 to May 30
All ages. Come out to the farmhouse under the Great Wall and try “zongzi” along with other traditional fare. The feast will be served at night and there will be live folk music. View the menu and book online here. RMB 98 to RMB 188. All day. The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall.
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival at Sofitel Wanda Beijing, May 30
All ages. Sofitel Wanda Beijing brings out a variety of well-designed rice dumpling gift boxes in time for the Dragon Boat Festival. The selection contains seven different designs in traditional Chinese and modern style. Sofitel says it adds more creativity to the traditional festival by integrating French art into its design elements and showcasing art, gastronomy, literary, cultural and musical programs regularly. All day. Prices for each gift box start at RMB 88. (8535 3168) Sofitel Wanda, Xi Dawang Lu and Soho Xiandaicheng, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District 北京万达索菲特大饭店 西大望路 现代城朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座
Fragrant Sachet Crafting and Dragon Boat Craft & Race, May 30
All ages. Fragrant sachets were crafted and worn in ancient times as an auspicious charm or gifted as a symbol of love. The SLab brings the tradition of fragrant silk sachet crafting using traditional herbs at the Green T. House. Meanwhile, a scaled-down version of a dragon boat race will be held in the central pond of Green T. House. 2-5pm. For Fragrant Sachet Crafting: RMB 248/child, RMB 888/four children (fee includes ice cream, juice, and crafting materials.) For the Dragon Boat Craft & Race, register via email at reservations@green-t-house.com. (6434 2519, WeChat ID: 13601137132, www.green-t-house.com) Green T House, 318 Sunbai Lu, Hegezhuang Village, Chaoyang.
Photos courtesy of 798 ICAF, DCB, Atelier, Hope, Sofitel Wanda Beijing, and The SLab.
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